Section 18. Central Government to appoint designated custodian.

(1) On and from the appointed date, if the auction or 1[allotment of Schedule II coal mines is not complete, or vesting order or allotment order issued under this Act has been terminated in case of a coal mine under production], the Central Government shall appoint any person as a designated custodian to manage and operate such coal mines as may be notified by the Central Government. (2) The designated custodian shall act for and on behalf of the Central Government in respect of the notified coal mines under sub-section (1) to operate and manage such Schedule I coal mines in such manner as may be notified, till the completion of the auction of such coal mines or allotment under section 4 and section 5 read with section 8, as the case may be.